Author: GOBankingRates

See where Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has invested his money. May 14, 2019 7 min read This story originally appeared on GOBankingRates This story originally published on Dec. 11, 2018. Have you ever wondered what you would do if you were the richest person alive? Some of us couldn’t even dream of what to do with just $1 billion. However, we can take a look at what the actual richest man alive does with his money. Related: Mark Cuban Says the Best Investment Is Paying Off Your Debt — Is He Right? As of May 2019, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos — currently the world’s richest man — had a net worth of $151.8 billion, according to Forbes. Bezos has made a wide variety of investments through Amazon; Bezos Expeditions, his venture capital firm; Nash Holdings LLC, a private company he owns; the Bezos Family Foundation; and his own personal fortune. The man is so rich, his net […]

Compensation means more than just your salary. April 30, 2019 3 min read This story originally appeared on GOBankingRates It can feel like a daunting task to negotiate your salary. We have been told that asking for more money isn’t polite. As a millennial, however, I firmly believe you should always negotiate your salary when you’re starting a new job, as well as when you’re up for a promotion with your current company. Though this can admittedly be a challenge, it can make a difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars. That said, sometimes it isn’t possible to negotiate your base salary. There may be a wage freeze, or the company may simply not be able to offer more for that position. If you find yourself in a situation like this, there are other items that make up your total compensation that you can negotiate instead. Related: How I Accidentally Got a Raise My […]

Find out how to make extra money outside your 9-to-5. April 16, 2019 7 min read This story originally appeared on GOBankingRates If you work a 9-to-5 desk job, you probably don’t want to take on a side gig that requires more time sitting in front of a screen. Fortunately, there are lots of jobs you can do on nights and weekends that don’t require any computers or sitting at a desk for hours on end. These are some of the best side hustles you can start without quitting your job. Babysitter This side gig can be a good way to spend your free time interacting with other people — cute babies and kids — rather than sitting at a desk. You can search for babysitting jobs that fit your schedule on sites such as Care.com. Simply list your availability and desired hourly pay, and be matched with parents looking for sitters. See: 30 Legitimate […]

You can get six-figure pay without a college degree. April 9, 2019 6 min read This story originally appeared on GOBankingRates We all know doctors and lawyers make a lot of money, but those aren’t the only types of jobs that can earn you a healthy paycheck. There are actually a lot of working-class jobs that pay six-figure salaries, many of which don’t require a higher degree to get. If you want to boost your salary, consider one of these high-paying jobs you didn’t know existed. Air Traffic Controller Median annual salary: $124,540 Annual salary for top earners: $175,800 Air traffic controller is a six-figure job that doesn’t require a four-year degree. People with this position are responsible for making sure that aircraft are operating at a safe distance from each other. You can qualify for the job by taking the Federal Aviation Administration’s two-year Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative course at an approved school. […]

March 19, 2019 15 min read This story originally appeared on GOBankingRates Making a livable wage can be a lifelong struggle. The mounting costs of housing and basic necessities can quickly add up, leaving you scraping to make ends meet rather than saving and building wealth. And depending on where you call home, that situation can be considerably worse. That’s why GOBankingRates conducted a study to identify the annual living wage needed to live comfortably in each of the 50 states, revealing that even if you’re comfortably middle class in one region, that doesn’t mean you won’t be living paycheck to paycheck in another. Not to be confused with the minimum wage, we define the “living wage” as the income you need to cover necessary and discretionary expenses while still contributing to savings. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the 50/30/20 budgeting rule — which allocates 50 percent of your […]

Studies have shown that happy people perform better at work. March 12, 2019 7 min read This story originally appeared on GOBankingRates It’s generally assumed that greater wealth leads to happiness. In fact, several studies have tried to pinpoint the magic income level for happiness, including the oft-cited Princeton University study published in 2010 that found that happiness rises as income rises up until you hit $75,000 a year — at which point happiness doesn’t improve as you earn more. A more recent study conducted by Purdue University in 2018 found that $75,000 is still the target income for emotional well-being, but for true life satisfaction, the ideal income is $95,000. But instead of wealth leading to increased happiness, the opposite might be true: Happiness leads to greater wealth, and several studies support this idea. For example, a research paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of […]

Escaping the 9-to-5 grind might still be possible in 2019. March 5, 2019 9 min read This story originally appeared on GOBankingRates In 2007, Tim Ferriss published The 4-Hour Workweek, which promised that anyone could “escape 9-to-5, live anywhere and join the New Rich” if they followed the guidelines outlined in the book. The 4-Hour Workweek went on to become a No. 1 New York Times best-seller published in 35 different countries. But since 2007, the economy has made a 180-degree turnaround, with banks failing, retirement funds shrinking and many Americans losing their jobs. So, how do the book’s money lessons stand the test of time? Lesson 1: Retirement is insurance against the worst-case scenario. Ferriss said in The 4-Hour Workweek that retirement should not be the ultimate goal. “It should be viewed as nothing more than a hedge against the absolute worst-case-scenario: in this case, becoming physically incapable of working and needing a reservoir […]

Prepare yourself for sudden stock market swings with these tips. February 26, 2019 10 min read This story originally appeared on GOBankingRates Planning your career is a difficult process, one fraught with potential pitfalls and made even scarier by the fact that you only get one shot at it. And if that weren’t enough, there are often a number of swirling factors over which you have no control — perhaps none bigger than the stock market. However, the relationship between stock markets and jobs can work to your benefit as the wild fluctuations of stock prices could very well present you with new opportunities to pursue your career goals. It’s never a good idea to let stock markets dictate your long-term plans, but some strategic thinking about the current economic atmosphere could put you on the path to success. So, here’s a closer look at some of the best career moves you can make when markets […]

Initial investment: $5,000 Expected earnings: $2,500 to $7,500 per month Becoming a personal trainer is a good way to help people reach their fitness goals. You won’t find a hard and fast rule regarding what kind of certification you should get or even if you need any. That said, it’s generally recognized as a best practice to obtain some sort of certification to start working with clients in a gym. Fitness training certification can come in as low as $400 and go up to a few thousand dollars. In addition to certification, you’ll need to pay for a website — or use a free Instagram account. Many personal trainers provide coaching services online and sell customized exercise and eating plans for additional revenue. A person should budget $700 to $2,000 for initial certifications, $600 for a web presence and another $1,600 for liability insurance each year, said John Romanelli, physical trainer […]

Elon Musk is a gifted engineer and successful inventor. CEO of SpaceX and the visionary architect behind Tesla Motors, Musk has always been an avid reader, according to an article by Inc. In fact, as a child, he sometimes read two books in a single weekend. While his commitment to self-education has certainly paid off, Musk admits his eating habits are not always so admirable. In a video interview by AUTO BILD TV, Musk said, “I think it’s probably true that having a good breakfast is a good idea, but usually I don’t have time for that. I’ll have a coffee or something like that … and a Mars bar, sure. But I’m trying to cut down on sweet stuff.” Musk also admitted to drinking eight cans of Diet Coke and several large cups of coffee a day. Additionally, Musk confessed to being something of a workaholic: “For a while […]

Locations in 2018: Over 2,000
Revenue in 2018: $3.1 billion
The husband and wife team of Andrew and Peggy Cherng co-founded Panda Express, the fast-casual Chinese eatery. The two came to the United States from China in the 1960s and met while studying at college. Without any formal culinary education, Andrew, with the help of his father, opened The Panda Inn in Pasadena, Calif., in 1973. In 1983, the restaurant morphed into a fast-casual location and Peggy joined the business. Since 2005, the chain has more than doubled in size, with roughly 150 stores opening each year. While that seems like a rapid pace, the Cherngs frequently turn down opportunities to scale even faster via franchising. Two of the Cherngs’ daughters hold senior positions within the company. Read_more Related posts: 35 Young South African Change-Agents Seek To Solve Global Consumption Challenges The Co-Founder of Panda Express Shares the Leadership Quality That […]

Don’t miss out on these lesser-known tax deductions. January 15, 2019 7 min read This story originally appeared on GOBankingRates In just a few short months, the day you’ve been dreading will be here: Tax Day. To prepare for that ominous April deadline, start organizing your finances and look for every single tax deduction, so you can write off any credit you qualify for. Whether you’re a rookie or veteran tax filer, there’s a chance you’re missing out on some deductions. Maximize your tax return by learning about 16 little-known tax deductions and credits you’ve probably overlooked. 1. Job hunting expenses Were you recently on the job hunt? If so, you probably forked over a considerable amount of cash to cover outplacement agency fees or mailing copies of your resume. Little did you know, you can possibly deduct some of those expenses. You can deduct certain job search-related expenses, according to the […]

December 26, 2018 5 min read This story originally appeared on GOBankingRates Real estate mogul and business expert Barbara Corcoran started The Corcoran Group when she was just 23. Despite launching her company at a time when the business world was largely an old boys’ club, she managed to grow it into one of the top real estate firms in New York City. I sat down with the Shark Tank star to find out how she did it, and get her advice for any other young women looking to launch a successful business themselves. Barbara Corcoran grew up with a powerful role model for how to run a business: her mother. Related: Get Salary Negotiating Tips From Ellen Pompeo, One of the Highest Paid Women on TV “Everything had its place,” the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card spokesperson said about how her mother ran the household. “If she did something more than once, she created a system, almost […]

Know these 2018 tax deduction changes when filing in 2019. December 4, 2018 13 min read This story originally appeared on GOBankingRates You might not want to hear this, but it’s already time to start thinking about tax preparation. Although April feels far away, the earlier you begin planning your tax filing, the more likely it is you’ll take advantage of all the tax breaks that tax year 2018 has to offer. Related: How to Set Career and Financial Goals You’ll Actually Achieve This is the first year the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 will be in effect, and this act will likely affect you and your taxes. Many of the miscellaneous itemized deductions, including unreimbursed job expenses, have been repealed for the 2018 tax year. To make it easier for you to understand how you’ll be affected, GOBankingRates put together this list of popular tax deductions — and ones you might not […]

Each person’s financial situation is different, so it is worth a closer look at when it’s better to pay off debt or invest. November 27, 2018 9 min read This story originally appeared on GOBankingRates Billionaire investor and Shark Tank star Mark Cuban said that the safest investment you can make right now is to pay off your debt, according to an interview with Kitco News earlier this year. Related: Do You Invest Like These Millionaire Stars? “The reason for that is whatever interest you have — it might be a student loan with a 7 percent interest rate — if you pay off that loan, you’re making 7 percent,” said Cuban. “And so that’s your immediate return, which is a lot safer than trying to pick a stock, or trying to pick real estate or whatever it may be.” Cuban is mostly right: More often than not, paying down debt as fast as […]

Some school environments go so far as to discourage this skill. November 20, 2018 8 min read This story originally appeared on GOBankingRates Think back to what you learned in school that’s helped you in the working world. Of course, there’s reading, writing and math as well as problem solving and teamwork. But, there’s one fundamental skill that probably wasn’t cultivated in the classroom and may have even been discouraged, even though it’s so valuable it may be the key to your next raise. Related: 16 Successful Entrepreneurs on the Worst Advice They Ever Received That skill — or, some might say, innate trait — is curiosity. Behavioral scientists have found that it’s one of the most valuable attributes in the workplace. Yet, curiosity often is not fostered in schools, especially those driven by test-based performance standards, said Andrew Minigan of The Right Question Institute in Education Week. Businesses don’t always encourage […]

Make sure these 12 factors are in line before you quit. November 13, 2018 9 min read This story originally appeared on GOBankingRates Almost everyone dreams of quitting their job to snag a promotion and boost their paycheck at another company, launch a money-making startup, retire early or maybe take time off to travel. Related: Match Your Side Hustle With How Much Free Time You’ve Got But, if you fantasize about triumphantly proclaiming “I quit my job!” at your next happy hour with friends, you should have an exit strategy. To map out the best route to a new beginning, consider these factors first to make sure you’re ready to quit your job. You have a plan once you quit your job. It’s easy to say, “I want to quit my job.” But, unless you have a trust fund or permanent dibs on your parents’ basement bedroom, it’s critical to have some sort of […]

Thinking you don’t have time isn’t an excuse. October 30, 2018 7 min read This story originally appeared on GOBankingRates If you want to make extra money, there’s no shortage of side hustles to supplement your income. The challenge is finding one that actually works with your schedule. After all, if you already have a full-time job, you don’t want a side gig that interferes with your 9-to-5 or leaves you with no downtime. Related: 20 Popular Side Hustles That Will Make Your Salary Soar That’s the beauty of side hustles, though. “It doesn’t matter how much or how little time you have, you can find some way to make money through online platforms,” said Kathy Kristof, creator of SideHusl, which provides reviews of online side hustle platforms. So, it might just be worth it to explore money-making opportunities that match how much free time you’ve got in order to find your side hustle […]

Companies ranging from international mega-corporations to scrappy startups are already reaping the rewards of providing naptime benefits. October 23, 2018 7 min read This story originally appeared on GOBankingRates Imagine employees with improved reaction time, increased logical reasoning and better moods. Now imagine employees who are less impulsive and have a greater tolerance for on-the-job frustration. Finally, imagine employees who are straight-up sleeping on the job. Related: The First Thing These Famous and Successful People Do Every Morning Here’s the twist: The employees you are imagining are one and the same. Studies from sources like the Journal of Sleep Research and Nature Neuroscience have found that power naps pack measurable benefits for job performance. Companies ranging from international mega-corporations to scrappy startups are already reaping the rewards of providing naptime benefits. Scroll through to see the companies offering the chance to nap along with other cool job perks. Google Olympic-sized swimming pools, […]

This entrepreneur shares how she streamlines her tasks to get more done throughout the week. October 3, 2018 4 min read This story originally appeared on GOBankingRates The word “entrepreneur” is constantly glamorized. It has become synonymous with a free-spirited, peaceful person who gets to wake up at 9 a.m., enjoys breakfast in bed while watching a morning talk show and does whatever he or she pleases for the remaining hours of the day — all while accumulating money. Related: 10 Ways to Successfully Climb the Career Ladder However, for me, being an entrepreneur means something else entirely. It means working around everyone else’s schedule, going to bed later and waking up earlier than others, and constantly being a girl on the go. It means having 24 hours a day at my disposal and deciding how to best manage that time so I can juggle all the things in my life. If I’m making […]

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